As released by Dauphin County.

HARRISBURG, PA (September 24, 2014) – As the Medicare annual enrollment period approaches, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III and the county’s Area Agency on Aging will host several free enrollment sessions throughout the county to guide Medicare beneficiaries and their families through the application process.

This year, the Medicare annual enrollment period begins on October 15 and ends on December 7, 2014.

“Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans can change from year to year,” said Hartwick, who has oversight of the county’s Area Agency on Aging. “We are hosting several free open enrollment sessions for Medicare beneficiaries and their families so that they can carefully review their options and select the best plans for them.”

The sessions are conducted by APPRISE Program counselors, who are trained to help Medicare participants with assessing their coverage options, checking qualification for low-income programs, navigating changes this enrollment season and giving easy-to-understand answers to questions about Medicare.

Medicare recipients will have the chance to get personalized help from APPRISE counselors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following enrollment events in Dauphin County:

October 16 and November 6 at the Rutherford House Senior Center, 3300 Parkview Lane, Harrisburg,

October 22 and November 20 at the Mohler Senior Center, 25 Hope Dr., Hershey,

October 28 and November 18 at the Northern Dauphin Human Services, 295 State Rd., Elizabethville,

October 29 and November 12 at the Millersburg Senior Center, 109 Edward Dr., Millersburg,

November 4 at Rattling Creek Apartments, 15 South Second St., Lykens,

and October 30 at the Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, 425 Prince St. Harrisburg,

Please contact Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging’s APPRISE program at 717-780-6130 to register for a session. Registration is required.

“If you have any questions regarding your options, please call and schedule a meeting with an APPRISE volunteer,” said Haste. “These well-trained volunteers can help you navigate the process of Medicare enrollment.”

“Please take advantage of this free program and contact our helpful counselors to have your questions answered,” said Pries.

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help older Pennsylvanians with Medicare. Counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer questions and provide objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Questions and requests to meet with APPRISE counselors may also be directed to the statewide, toll-free line 1-800-783-7076.

Photo/Natalie Cake